2019-2020 Application Thread

[uchenyy]

32 minutes ago, Artifex_Archer said:

Also, could someone please assuage my anxiety over this quarantine stuff continuing into the fall? My nightmare scenario is that schools will decide to defer all new enrollment until who knows what. Logically, I know that wouldn't be economically feasible for an institution, but panic does funny things to people.

Although this is a very serious virus, I think that we should be fine by early summer, if not sooner. I don't think we should worry about this right now. Even if the virus did continue until then, classes would probably be held online.  

[horololo]

33 minutes ago, uchenyy said:

Although this is a very serious virus, I think that we should be fine by early summer, if not sooner. I don't think we should worry about this right now. Even if the virus did continue until then, classes would probably be held online.  

Having classes online is my worst scenario! That'll make us miss the opportunity to interact with faculty and peer students for a while, which is a big part of graduate life  

[Artifex_Archer]

5 minutes ago, horololo said:

Having classes online is my worst scenario! That'll make us miss the opportunity to interact with faculty and peer students for a while, which is a big part of graduate life  

Just as long as everyone commits up front to revolting en masse if this happens, I think we can resist any overly protectionist policies...

[Theory007]

How are ya'll coping with the whole corona-virus situation? I'm guessing that all major universities have cancelled their visiting days by now and many universities have taken their classes online for the rest of the semester. For those not  being able to visit the programs they were admitted to, how are you going to make your decisions on where to go?

In a broader sense, it all feels a bit surreal with European countries shutting down left and right, and knowing that the worst is yet to come to the US. There is a sense of panic where I am in central US with schools cancelled, shortage of goods in the grocery stores, and paranoia all around. What is your experience?

[Dwar]

HAHA same. My work is enforcing a work from home policy for the next two weeks. Super surreal.
 

i think my worst case scenario (besides like dying from it) is that the school closures will spill over into the fall semester and I won’t be able to attend grad school in August. 

Edited March 13, 2020 by Dwar

[Theory007]

oh I really doubt that will be happening. By next semester everyone will know very well how to conduct their classes online if need be so I think they will be ready/able to do that if need be. And it would be very bad for any program to be missing an entire cohort so I am doubting that that will happen.

[Dwar]

9 minutes ago, Theory007 said:

oh I really doubt that will be happening. By next semester everyone will know very well how to conduct their classes online if need be so I think they will be ready/able to do that if need be. And it would be very bad for any program to be missing an entire cohort so I am doubting that that will happen.

That’s what I keep telling myself. Also, the financial impact of keeping a school closed for an additional semester would be monumental and Something that I’m sure most schools would want to avoid. 
 

But ya know, the fear is there! 

[Theory007]

4 hours ago, Dwar said:

But ya know, the fear is there! 

I totally get that!

[Romcomulus]

21 hours ago, Dwar said:

That’s what I keep telling myself. Also, the financial impact of keeping a school closed for an additional semester would be monumental and Something that I’m sure most schools would want to avoid. 
 

But ya know, the fear is there! 

I'm trying to remain positive as well, lol. I received the offer I plan to accept from the DGS, but the offer hasn't been uploaded to the website for me to accept yet. And now that pretty much all universities are shut down, it could be a while. My irrational fear is that the virus will ruin schools economically and my offer will be rescinded. Very unlikely, but it is hard not to worry when it comes to graduate admissions

[uchenyy]

On 3/13/2020 at 5:32 PM, Theory007 said:

How are ya'll coping with the whole corona-virus situation? I'm guessing that all major universities have cancelled their visiting days by now and many universities have taken their classes online for the rest of the semester. For those not  being able to visit the programs they were admitted to, how are you going to make your decisions on where to go?

I accepted my offer at UNC-Chapel Hill. I based my decision on (1) my excellent fit with the department, (2) the department's rank, (3) several conversations with a recent graduate of the program, and (4) excellent conversations with the CP subfield chair and DGA. I am thrilled to join this department in August! 

Edited March 14, 2020 by uchenyy

[raduan]

Allow me to present a different take on the visit's cancellation. Many foreign admits, like myself, can't be present for some reason. It will be nice to have the chance to participate in that even though it would be online. I don't think that will reach any faculty, but they should tape these events to have something  that they can present to future foreign admin  

[raduan]

Also, I don't think that having online classes next fall is out of the question. All American uni has a lot of the international students. Here, for example, it is virtually impossible to buy a ticket to the US. I don't think it is any different in Europe and Asia. Even if the Covid-19 recede in the spring, it will take some time to a lot of things to normalize. For example, I need to receive documentation from my uni to start the process for the visa. I have no idea how long this process is going to take considering the current air traffic chaos. 

Edited March 16, 2020 by raduan

[taraeh]

I emailed Rutgers today and they told me I was on the waitlist. They only are taking 6-7 people and don't expect anyone to drop though so likely won't get picked up. Just FYI for anyone waiting.

[uchenyy]

I will decline my offer at Minnesota by the end of the week. I hope this helps someone on the waitlist!

[american2020]

Waitlisted at UT Austin (AP subfield), my top choice! Please decline if you have better offers. Thanks so much in advance!

[buru]

Hi all!!

I got waitlisted at CUNY and Brandeis (Subfield CP). Anyone planning to decline their offers?? 

[Dwar]

Hey all, just wanted to urge everyone who’s made their decisions for next year to post in the results discussion/thread! 
 

it’s a great resource to share the knowledge that you’ve accumulated with next years cohort! 

Edited March 18, 2020 by Dwar

[SeriousDiver]

What questions are everyone asking faculty and students (for those who were fortunate enough to be admitted somewhere). And I don't mean the standard/obvious ones that everyone asks (eg. "stipend information"? "cohort size", living", research opportunities").

Edited March 18, 2020 by SeriousDiver

[Richelieu]

2 minutes ago, SeriousDiver said:

What questions are everyone asking faculty and students (for those who were fortunate enough to be admitted somewhere). And I don't mean the standard/obvious ones that everyone asks (eg. "stipend information"? "cohort size", living", research opportunities").

• Placement
• Mentorship
• Curriculum 
• Professional development opportunities 
• Collaboration with faculty 
• Teaching opportunities 
• Summer/research/conference travel funding
• Intellectual climate of the program/university 
• Diversity 
• Methodological variety
• Availability of interdisciplinary collaboration with other programs/institutes

These are the general topics I have asked to the colleges I got accepted. You can generate your own wording for these but I believe placement/conference funding and diversity (especially for international students) are especially important to ask.

 

[raduan]

I don't know whether everybody is familiar with this article, but I found it very interesting, and I am basing all my questions on it.

 

https://thepoliticalmethodologist.com/2014/01/18/student-advice-should-i-go-to-graduate-school-if-so-where-should-i-go/

[Theory & Quant]

15 hours ago, SeriousDiver said:

What questions are everyone asking faculty and students (for those who were fortunate enough to be admitted somewhere). And I don't mean the standard/obvious ones that everyone asks (eg. "stipend information"? "cohort size", living", research opportunities").

https://leiterreports.typepad.com/blog/2014/03/some-advice-to-prospective-graduate-students-visiting-departments.html I found this post on the topic on Leiter Reports, a well-known philosophy blog, particularly helpful. The comments are also useful. 

[Bosox]

Hi everyone!

 

I've been following the thread for a while now, but commenting here for the first time.

I just got a wait-listing from the Government Department at Georgetown (I applied for IR), and although very cliche,

I hope I could ask any of you who received acceptances but plan on attending other institutions to please inform Georgetown that you won't be attending.

Georgetown is my dream school and the only thing close of a chance for me in this cycle so I'd really appreciate any help!

 

I hope you all stay safe in this hectic period of time!

[uchenyy]

I declined my offer from Minnesota a couple of minutes ago. I hope this helps someone on the waitlist! 

[niceward]

I just got an email from CUNY saying I've been waitlisted. I have otherwise struck out, so if you got an accept and don't want to go, please reject. This was my number one choice. 

[TiKei]

26 Mar 2020, e-mail received with link to check Georgetown PhD Gov't status update. Standard rejection letter.

So this is farewell to everybody here. I wish you all the best of luck if you choose to continue on this path. But that's it for me. I will not be applying anymore (a decision I've made before this began cycle - do not assume it's temporary rage or whatever xD!). I'm out of the PhD/academic race. I'll simply continue with my research as a side job/hobby, shifting my research skills to work (high tec industry, actually a salary that allows me to hire research assistant(s) lol!!! I never thought about that before...). It has so far proven itself to be quite satisfying! So I recommend it, particularly once you realize you aren't giving up on too much besides solo authorship peer-reviewed articles really...

My personal tip: join tweeter if you haven't. The academic chatter that happens there is super important. It is a major source of information, and if you follow the right/relevant people (and I also recommend following stuff related to post/alternative academia stuff) then let your brain process the information. And of course, act based on this intelligence.

Ciao!